CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Robert Quinn often says he's grateful for every day he sees the sun rise. It’s the perspective he has carried with him from a hospital bed at age 17 to becoming a star pass rusher in the NFL.
On Sunday, the 31-year-old Quinn broke the Bears’ single-season sack record by recording his 18th of the 2021 campaign. He surpassed Hall of Fame pass rusher Richard Dent, who previously stood atop the franchise’s leaderboard with 17.5 sacks in 1984. After savoring his moment in the Bears’ 29-3 win over the Giants at Soldier Field, Quinn had the same humble attitude he always does.
“It’s an honor,” Quinn said. “A Hall of Famer, Richard Dent. To take the record, it’s an honor.
"I’m at a loss for words.”
Through the highs and lows of an 11-year NFL career that should draw Hall of Fame consideration, Quinn has held firm to his positive spirit, especially in his two seasons in Chicago.
Quinn’s historic season seemed unlikely considering he had just two sacks in 15 games in 2020, his first season of a five-year, $70-million deal that he signed with the Bears. Had his contract allowed for a lower-cost resolution, he likely would’ve been released last offseason. During and after his struggles in 2020, Quinn emphasized he would respond in 2021 and pay it back to his team. He did so in historic fashion Sunday, recording a strip-sack of Giants quarterback Mike Glennon with 8:34 remaining in regulation to surpass Dent.
Quinn has constantly responded – not just in football but in life. Back when he was 17, Quinn was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The doctor didn't know whether it was cancerous or benign but needed to operate and reduce the swelling. The surgery was successful, and the tumor was benign. Quinn’s life was saved, and he came away with a new view.
“Overcoming a terrible season is pretty easy versus being 17, laying in a hospital bed and thinking you might not make it,” Quinn said.
Bears second-year pass rusher Trevis Gipson constantly sees that perspective from Quinn.
“He’s a warrior,” Gipson said. “He almost died when he was younger, and he’s still rushing passers today. He overcomes battles. That’s what he does.”
Added quarterback Andy Dalton: “You respect that guy. He does everything the right way.”
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As he closed in on Dent’s record during a streak of seven straight games with a sack leading into Sunday, Quinn didn’t allow himself to focus on making history. That isn't how he approaches each day. But he couldn’t avoid it Saturday as he arrived home to a phone call. On the other line was Dent, who wanted to speak with Quinn before what he presumed would be a record-breaking day. Dent offered a reminder of the place in history that Quinn would soon join.
“He said he had 17.5 and only (played) in 10 games,” Quinn said. “So, he let me know the company I was in.”
Throughout Sunday’s game, Quinn's teammates kept reminding him he had to get his 18th sack. Then came calls from fans along the Bears’ sideline on the west end of Soldier Field. They wanted to see history. Quinn nearly recorded it during the first quarter, but Glennon dumped off the football just before being thrown down by Quinn. He then had a half-sack recorded in the fourth quarter that would’ve tied him with Dent, but a defensive holding penalty negated the play.
One snap later, Quinn won his battle off the left side of the defense like so many times before in his career and recorded the sack by forcing Glennon to fumble. Bears coach Matt Nagy then called a timeout that allowed Quinn to savor his moment and receive a standing ovation from the crowd.
Quinn shrugged his shoulders and wondered why the game had stopped. He was ready for the next play.
“At the end of the day," Quinn said, "I'm just doing my job.
“Football’s football. And life’s a little more important to me.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.